By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The University of New England (UNE) and the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) are both asking the York County Superior Court to dismiss a civil complaint that was filed against them by the city of Biddeford. The requests for dismissal were each filed earlier this month after the city formally brought its … Continue reading UNE, SRCC ask court to dismiss Biddeford’s complaint
Category: UNE
A collection of posts related to the University of New England, including the Gazette’s investigative reporting, feature stories submitted to us by UNE; and letters to the editor and guest columns about the university.
Council unanimously halts UNE development
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite the impassioned pleas of some nuns from the St. Joseph’s Convent, the Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact a temporary development moratorium on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. As previously reported in the Gazette, Mayor Liam LaFountain proposed the moratorium and the creation of an ad-hoc … Continue reading Council unanimously halts UNE development
New committee will oversee development at UNE
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As part of his campaign promise to increase government transparency, accountability and citizen participation, newly-elected Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain unveiled his plan to create a new ad-hoc committee that will oversee all development on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. LaFountain’s plan was warmly received by both the city council … Continue reading New committee will oversee development at UNE
City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal in August, a required building permit will not be issued by the city until a decision comes down from the York County Superior Court. The city has filed a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor … Continue reading City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
UNE students help families in need during holidays
Contributed Story Students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) KAPPA Chapter continued a longstanding holiday tradition on Friday, Dec. 12, hosting their annual Holiday Giving Tree toy drive on UNE’s Biddeford Campus to support local families through the Biddeford Primary School. Now in its seventh year, the … Continue reading UNE students help families in need during holidays
UNE’s new dormitory plan approved
The Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) voted 9-2 Monday to approve a plan that will allow the University of New England to transform a former convent on the Saco River into a student dormitory. The Biddeford convent was built in 1986 and features a 57-bed nursing home on a 21.4-acre parcel along the banks of … Continue reading UNE’s new dormitory plan approved
UNE students bring some holiday cheer downtown
A group of roughly 30 students from the University of New England gathered downtown Sunday to help string holiday lights along Main Street. This is not the first year that students have stepped forward to help with the annual holiday decorations. It is now part of an annual tradition that began in 2017, according to … Continue reading UNE students bring some holiday cheer downtown
Zoning Board sides with UNE
The University of New England cleared another hurdle Thursday when the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted unanimously to reject an appeal of the university’s proposed research pier. Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the controversial pier in August, a group of private citizens – led by the former chair of the Biddeford … Continue reading Zoning Board sides with UNE
Back to the drawing board for UNE?
City attorney finds new info, says UNE pier should go back to planning board By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford City Attorney Harry Center says that the Biddeford Planning Board should reconsider its prior approval of the University of New England’s controversial research pier. Although the planning board narrowly approved the university’s proposal in August, Center … Continue reading Back to the drawing board for UNE?
City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Thursday to seek guidance from the Maine Attorney General’s office about a new wrinkle that was recently discovered in the University of New England’s proposal to build a large, research pier on the Saco River. In order to build their pier, the university needed approvals … Continue reading City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
At-Large candidates Lessard, Vadnais share concerns about UNE pier
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford Gazette asked the three At-Large city council candidates to share their thoughts and concerns about the controversial pier being proposed by the University of New England (UNE). Last week, we reached out to the two candidates vying for the Ward One seat, which represents Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods, about their … Continue reading At-Large candidates Lessard, Vadnais share concerns about UNE pier
Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history
By RANDY SEAVER, editor Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the city council listened Thursday evening to several residents who raised concerns about how the city has handled its review of a controversial pier project that the University of New England wants to build on the Saco River. Roughly 55 people attended Thursday’s special … Continue reading Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history
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